Genetic Organization of the Recombinant Bacillus pasteurii Urease Genes Expressed in Escherichia coli

The genetic organization of the urease gene cluster from an alkalophilic Bacillus pasteurii was determined by subcloning and Tn5 transposon mutagenesis of a 10.7 kilobasepair cloned fragment. A region of DNA between 5.0 and 6.0 kb in length is necessary for urease activity. In vitro transcription-translation analysis of transposon insertion mutants of the cloned urease genes demonstrated that the major ($M_r$ 67,000) and minor ($M_r$ 20,000) structural peptides of urease are encoded at one end of the urease gene cluster and at least 3 additional polypeptides are encoded by adjacent DNA sequences.